Submitted Photo
Altamont, Ill. – As reported yesterday afternoon, there was an accident on the westbound side of I-70 directly in front of the Westbound Trail Rest Area near Altamont.
First responders were initially called on scene at approximately 4:45 p.m.
The Illinois State Police District 12 conducted an investigation to find the cause of the accident, and released an accident report earlier this morning.
Details from that report indicated Brian C. Funches, 43, of Harvey was stopped in a semi in traffic due to a lane closure ahead on the interstate with Audie D. Phillips, 55, of Cincinnati, OH driving a semi directly behind him.
Behind both of them was Leigh Ann Slater, 30 of Altamont who was proceeding to come to a stop when she was rear ended by James C. Call, 33, of Killeen, TX.
Immediately following the collision, the vehicle driven by slater came off the roadway before coming to a stop in the median, as Call continued on to rear end Phillips.
This impact caused for Phillips to rear end Funches immediately after.
Phillips’ trailer on the semi was compromised in the accident leaving the load scattered across the westbound lanes, and the median.
After first responders came on scene, Call was flown directly from the scene to Carle Foundation Hospital via helicopter evacuation, while Slater & Funches were taken via ambulance to St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital.
The accident caused major traffic which led to ISP rerouting drivers through the rest area, and lasted for approximately 4 hours.
Afterward, Call was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.